External Reviews
External reviews of CAO’s work have been conducted periodically by independent experts to assess our effectiveness and enhance our processes.

External Review 2019-2020
In 2019, the Boards of IFC and MIGA initiated an External Review of IFC and MIGA's Environmental and Social Accountability, including CAO's Role and Effectiveness. The review will consider the respective roles of the Board, management and CAO, including the governance and effectiveness of CAO comprising CAO’s three functions (Dispute Resolution, Compliance, and Advisory), the role of IFC and MIGA and their clients in identifying, mitigating and responding to concerns regarding adverse environmental and social impacts of the business activities each finances or insures, and the oversight function of the Board. More information about the External Review process, including the team of experts convened to conduct the Review is available here.
Past Reviews
CAO has initiated three independent reviews of its effectiveness since the Office was established in 1999. The reviews have focused on whether CAO is delivering on its mandate, identifying CAO's strengths, and areas for improvement. The CAO reviews were conducted by independent experts and sought input from CAO's diverse stakeholders. CAO has used the reviews to improve the effectiveness of its work, specifically delivering on its mandate through its three main roles—the dispute resolution, compliance, and advisory functions.
A summary of the CAO external effectiveness reviews, as well as the full reports, are available in the links below:
Summary of CAO's Three External Effectiveness Reviews, 2012
A Retrospective Analysis of CAO Interventions Trends, Outcomes and Effectiveness, May 2006